Despite often being less famous than his sister, Julia Roberts, and niece, Emma Roberts, Eric Roberts actually has appeared in more acting roles than both of them together.
Though not as famous as his Oscar-winning sister, this 69-year-old actor has become one of Hollywood’s most prolific, racking up an incredible 891 acting roles according to IMDB—including 42 just this year.
Although Eric doesn’t have the most screen credits worldwide – that record belongs to Indian actor Brahmanandam with 1207 – he has more than any other actor currently working in Hollywood.
The actor is well-known for accepting every part offered to him, leading to a diverse filmography over the past five decades since he began his career.
Eric started his acting career at age 17 in 1974, with a role on the soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage.
He first gained widespread recognition with the lead role in the 1978 film King of the Gypsies. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination, and he appeared destined for major stardom.
He received another Academy Award nomination five years later for his role in the film Star 80. In 1986, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Buck McGeehy, a fugitive, in Runaway Train.
Eric’s career took off in the mid-1990s, and he steadily worked on more and more projects. He went from appearing in about five projects a year to 25, and then 45. His busiest year was 2017, when he worked on an impressive 74 projects.
He’s known for his roles in several popular films, including The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), Best of the Best (1989), The Cable Guy (1996), National Security (2003), The Expendables (2010), Lovelace (2013), Inherent Vice (2014), and The Human Centipede 3 (2015).
Recently, he’s experienced a career revival with notable supporting roles in films like Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice, and Damien Chazelle’s Babylon, where he acted alongside Margot Robbie.
Even though Eric and Julia have both had long careers in film, they’ve only appeared in one movie together: the 1989 Western, Blood Red, where they played siblings.
He’s appeared in many TV shows, with recurring parts in series like Heroes, Suits, The Young and the Restless, and The Righteous Gemstones, which he considers his most enjoyable role to date.
Eric once acted in a short film, playing the role of a homeowner, to showcase a very expensive house and help potential buyers see themselves living there.
Despite appearing agreeable, he recently admitted he rejected the starring role in 9 1/2 Weeks, a part that ultimately went to Mickey Rourke, and he later regretted that choice.
He said: ‘I always wished I had [taken that role], but I thought Mickey was awesome in that movie.’
Eric isn’t just a film and TV actor; he’s also been featured in music videos for popular artists like Rihanna, Ja Rule, and Enrique Iglesias. His work includes videos for Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together,” Akon and Eminem’s “Smack That,” and The Killers’ iconic “Mr. Brightside.”
He jokingly referred to himself as a ‘lucky charm’ for musicians and went on to explain a peculiar habit: whenever he’s offered a video project, he immediately turns it down.
My wife pointed out that, naturally, I was working on the project. She explained that the band, The Killers, is very popular, and I immediately agreed to do the video. It ended up being a massive success.
Then I worked with Akon, and that song was another big success. After that, I collaborated with Mariah Carey, and it went straight to number one! For a while, people thought I brought good luck, and I gained a lot of new fans.
He’s also tried his hand at reality television, first on Bear Grylls’ Celebrity Island in 2018, and more recently on Dancing with the Stars last year, where he danced with Britt Stewart and finished in 11th place.
Eric seemed destined for major stardom early in his career, but both his sister and daughter have since become more famous than he is.
He’s worked on many different kinds of films, including big-budget blockbusters and smaller independent projects, but most of his movies are released directly to streaming or video-on-demand platforms instead of theaters.
His career was complicated by struggles with drug use, particularly cocaine and marijuana.
Eric has confessed that his drug and alcohol use hindered his career, causing him to miss crucial meetings with well-known directors while under the influence.
He admitted to Vanity Fair that he’d attend meetings with important figures like Oliver Stone and Sean Penn while under the influence of drugs.
‘Woody Allen. I met him very stoned, and he dismissed me, as well he should have.’
He continued, explaining that he’d been doing that for around ten years. His goal was to ask for support, essentially saying, “You understand my situation—now please help me, because I deserve it.” He realizes this now, but didn’t understand it at the time.
He explained that drug use was rampant, affecting everyone on set, from the top bosses to the crew. He personally struggled with cocaine and other drugs to the point where his wife threatened to leave him if he didn’t stop. He admitted to using a wide range of mind-altering substances.
I was arrested in 1987 for drug possession – marijuana and cocaine – and for resisting the police. After that, I started using marijuana again, and I’ve been a regular user ever since, though I’ve had periods of not using it which I jokingly call ‘binge sobriety’.
Eric explained to Vanity Fair in 2018 that he started taking on more screen roles after opportunities for leading parts became scarce.
He explained that he quickly began producing a lot of low-budget movies – one after another, at a rapid pace. Before he knew it, two or three years had gone by, and he’d made around thirty films.
Over the last two years, I’ve created about 70 films and really started to enjoy the filmmaking process. I’m completely passionate about it – I could honestly do it all the time!
He added: ‘I went from being a joke that’ll do anything to being “Is there anything he can’t do?”‘
Eric confessed he’s lost count of all the movies he’s made and now relies on IMDB to see what projects he has in the works. He explained that because he’s constantly filming, he doesn’t keep track of what’s been completed but not yet released.
Despite a long and successful career, he maintains he only works about 200 days a year and feels better than ever.
In a 2022 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, he shared that work is his biggest motivation, saying it ‘gets me out of bed in the morning.’ He also expressed immense gratitude for his career, joking that he’s been able to travel the world ‘three times for free.’
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to work in Hollywood. We receive between eight and thirty job offers daily from around the globe.
I’m really enjoying getting so many different roles and the chance to play such diverse characters.
Eric shared how he manages so many projects, noting that they require very quick completion times.
I approach every project with as much dedication as possible, working with the time I have. Opportunities can arise very quickly these days – I might receive an offer on Friday that requires me to start the very next day.
I usually receive new material on Fridays and then spend the weekend completing all my preparation – homework, learning lines, everything – so I feel confident and ready to perform on Monday mornings. It requires quick memorization, but honestly, it’s always enjoyable.
In an interview last November, Eric shared how he manages to keep track of all his characters and projects when moving quickly between different filming sets.
I draw on a variety of acting approaches constantly. I adapt my techniques to whatever best suits the scene, the character, and the director I’m working with. Some directors are collaborative and helpful, while others aren’t – you just have to work with the situation as it is.
I’ve noticed something about actors playing multiple roles, and it really makes sense to me. If they’re just popping up as different characters briefly throughout the day – maybe a couple of quick scenes – that’s not the same as carrying the whole movie. Those are more like cameos, fun little appearances rather than substantial parts.
I always put my all into every film I work on – it’s what I’m paid to do, and I strive to completely impress everyone involved. That’s what motivates me daily, and it’s incredibly satisfying when I succeed. It’s a goal I can consistently reach, which makes it really rewarding.
He also explained how he and his wife, Eliza, decide which acting roles to take, sharing that he’s let her take the lead in those decisions for the past 20 years. He says this is because she’s more intelligent than him and he trusts her judgment completely.
I remember hearing how, around 1997 or 1998, his wife came to him with incredible news. They were getting 30 to 50 script offers every single day from all over the globe! She asked him if they should really start digging through them all and seeing what opportunities were out there, and he immediately said yes – absolutely! It was such an exciting time, and a clear sign of how much potential he had.
I have a simple process for choosing projects. First, I receive a summary of a story, and if that interests me, I read the full script. If I like the script, my wife handles the business side of things and we move forward.
Being an actor has always been my dream, and now I get to live it! I love traveling and working all over the world, meeting wonderful people and having incredible experiences.
Eric has also repaired his relationship with his sister, Julia, who is a Hollywood star, after a period of not being close.
He acknowledged that his drug use harmed his relationships with Julia, Lisa Roberts Gillan, and Nancy Motes, his sisters.
He previously told Vanity Fair that he wouldn’t describe his relationship with his sisters as a falling out. He was very close to them, saying he loved and adored them, and they shared many special moments together.
We were a close and supportive group, but ultimately, the biggest challenge was overcoming our own internal struggles.
The actor admitted he was difficult to be around, constantly complaining, blaming others, and unable to appreciate good things. He realized everyone around him, including his then-wife Julia, probably needed a respite from his negativity.
Eric explained that he was a typical drug addict, meaning he wasn’t thinking clearly about his actions and wasn’t accountable for them. This caused a lot of pain for his family, and his sisters, Lisa and Julia, eventually felt he was causing more problems than he was worth. He understands and doesn’t fault them for feeling that way.
He later wrote in his memoir that he understood Lisa and Julia might have developed PTSD from being around him, explaining that they deserved love and security but instead experienced fear and instability.
Eric admitted that some of his choices created distance between him and Julia. For example, during the beginning of his career, he falsely told people their mother, Betty Lou Bredemus, had passed away because he was still upset about his parents’ divorce.
Looking back on what he said, Eric now understands how deeply his words must have affected Julie and Lisa. They were just 11 and 13 years old, living with their mother, and hearing their older brother publicly announce that she had passed away.
My relationship with my sisters really fell apart because I was so wrapped up in my mom’s reaction to a story I wrote where I killed off her character. It was incredibly selfish of me to prioritize that over their feelings.
Things really fell apart with Julia when she took Kelly Cunningham’s side in the awful custody battle over Emma, their daughter, back in 1993. It felt like a huge betrayal, and it was incredibly difficult to watch her support Eric’s ex over what was best for their child. It deeply damaged our relationship.
In the early 1990s, during a conversation about the success of his film Pretty Woman, Eric made a remark that he later said was misinterpreted as sarcasm.
He revisited this topic in a 2022 interview on the ‘Behind The Velvet Rope’ podcast with David Yontef, stating, ‘Julia and I have always been okay. I believe a long time ago, I was promoting a film…’
This happened right after ‘Pretty Woman’ came out, and everyone was focused on Julia Roberts. I interrupted and asked, “Could we please talk about me for a change?”
The actor from Suits clarified that his previous statement was taken the wrong way, explaining, ‘It’s like people immediately assumed we were facing difficulties.’
Despite disagreeing on many things, the actor emphasized that their relationship as siblings remains strong.
He said he really enjoys having a relationship with his sister. He described her as a great person and explained that they both respect each other’s privacy, especially when it comes to dealing with the media. They simply avoid interfering in each other’s business.
I remember being so frustrated when I read that Vanity Fair profile in 2018! Eric just completely took credit for launching Julia and Emma’s amazing careers, flat-out claiming he was the first to recognize their potential. It was really annoying to see him act like he was solely responsible for their success.
He stated that he played a key role in launching the careers of both Julia Roberts and Emma Roberts, and he feels proud of his contribution to their success.
When my sister Julia arrived in New York, I immediately went to the William Morris agency and asked them who would represent her.
I’m really proud to be recognized as the first to achieve these milestones – I was significantly ahead of others. I was the first to receive both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, and that’s something I’m very proud of.
He later apologized to Julia Roberts for a statement he made in his 2024 memoir, Runaway Train. He wrote that he was sorry for repeatedly saying, “If it weren’t for me, Julia Roberts wouldn’t be where she is today.”
That’s not just regrettable, it’s simply not true. I hope Julie can accept my public apology. What I said was foolish.
After years of not speaking, Julia’s twins, Hazel and Phinnaeus, born in 2004, brought her siblings back together.
Eric said he went to the hospital after his sister had her baby to bring her a gift.
Instead, they welcomed me into their room with a lot of warm affection, like a brother and uncle would.
The performer explained that after their initial meeting, they and the other person shared many Thanksgivings and stayed in touch regularly through email.
He shared in May 2020 how happy he was to see Julia and his daughter Emma getting along so well.
He told Us Weekly: ‘It’s really cool to look at them. I love seeing them together.’
Eric has previously revealed Emma and Julia have told him not to talk about them in interviews.
He said: ‘I love my sister, but I can’t talk about her. She doesn’t wanna talk about it.’
My daughter asked me not to mention her, and I keep accidentally doing so. I’m not meant to talk about either of my children, but I can’t help myself.
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2025-11-23 16:22